Expression of Interest For Final Evaluation Of The Project Libri

Expression of Interest for Final Evaluation of the Project Libri Closing Date: 26 Oct 2025 Type: Consultancy 1. The action and the actors involved BSF presentation Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (BSF), a French association under the French law of 1901, has been working since 2007 to bring knowledge to those who are deprived of it. Today, 750 million people in the world cannot read or write and only 35% of people in developing nations have access to the internet (World Bank 2023). Peoples vulnerabilities are exacerbated when they do not have access to the information they need to make decisions, acquire new skills and integrate into societies. Access to knowledge allows people to exercise their rights, to be included in society and to be empowered. Therefore, for the past 17 years, BSF has been working with 6 million people in France and in 50 countries around the world to provide access to information, education and culture. BSF intervenes in various fields where school time is reduced, family units are broken up and where the lack of information and open spaces reinforces resentment between communities. BSF campaigns for a better consideration of the intellectual dimensions (information, education, culture) in the aid provided to vulnerable populations. To act, BSF has created revolutionary tools such as the Ideas Box - a multimedia library in kit form designed by Philippe Starck1 - or the Ideas Cube - a digital and ultra-portable offline library2. In all its projects, the association defends innovation, sharing, respect and cultural diversity. BSFs expertise in content creation has been recognized for many years. Therefore in 2019, BSF created the Lab. Both a product and a research and development centre, the Lab is the embodiment of BSFs innovative spirit. The Lab is the core of BSFs expertise and innovation. Project presentation Europe is facing a major challenge regarding the reception and integration of third-country nationals. In 2023, EU member states received more than 1.1 million asylum applications, a record high in the past seven years. The war in Ukraine also pushed over 6 million people to seek refuge in Europe. These dynamics have led traditionally emigration countries such as Romania and Poland to become countries of destination. Moreover, in 2022, the risk of poverty and social exclusion was 37% for third-country nationals living in Europe, compared with 14% among locals. It is therefore crucial to take action to reduce barriers to integration by facilitating access to education, culture, and information for people in situations of migration. With more than 65,000 libraries across Europe (according to EBLIDA), libraries are spaces of unconditional welcome, a basic and trusted public service that enables interaction and contact between newcomers, librarians, and citizens. They are also spaces of access to information in multiple languages, lifelong learning, and internet connection. Libraries continuously adapt their services to the evolving needs of their visitors, including new audiences in situations of migration. However, European libraries that wish to develop an action plan on reception at the territorial level often face a lack of documentation and information, as well as public policies that have sometimes only partially addressed the issue. On the basis of this observation, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders), through the Library Bridges project, has brought together a consortium of organizations engaged on the themes of libraries and reception. This innovative two-year project, co-financed by the European Union, aims to create a strong European network of welcoming libraries for third-country nationals, particularly multilingual, vulnerable, and displaced audiences. Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (BSF), together with ANVITA in France, the Information Society Development Foundation (FRSI) in Poland, Kulturas Informacijas Sistemu Centrs (CIS) in Latvia, Asociatia Comunitatile Viitorului (ACV) in Romania, Biblioteche Senza Frontiere in Italy, and finally the European Bureau of Library Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), will work together to map initiatives already undertaken by libraries in these five countries and to support 50 libraries in working in partnership with reception actors to design actions that foster the integration of people in situations of migration. Library Bridges will also develop tools such as thematic mediation toolkits and a handbook on building synergies between local stakeholders, based on the consortiums experience. The project consists in 5 Work packages: WP1: Project Management & Coordination WP2: Mobilization of 50 cities in Europe & documentary research WP3: Creation of 50 local partnerships (Local Authorities + Library + Associations) to support them in the creation of 50 local integration strategies WP4: Creation of toolkits on the inclusion of migrant users in Libraries and training of the 50 participating libraries WP5: Communication and Capitalization Events, communication campaign, community of practice, digital ressource hub, Consortium partners: Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (BSF) - France Coordinator of the project & Lead of WP1 & WP4 ANVITA: National Association of Welcoming Cities and Territories Lead of WP2 FRSI: Information Society Development Foundation (Poland) - Lead of WP4 Kulturas Informacijas Sistemu Centrs (CIS): Culture and Information System Centres (Latvia) Asociatia Comunitatile Viitorului (ACV): Communities of the Future Association (Romania) Biblioteche Senza Frontiere (Italy) - Affiliated entity to BSF EBLIDA: European Bureau of Library Information and Documentation Associations Lead of WP5 ANVITA, FRSI, ACV, BSF Italy and in a reduced extend BSF are responsible for implementing WP2 & WP3 and WP4 in their respective countries. Targeted Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries: 50 Libraries and their staff (from 2 to around 15 librarians involved per city) 50 cities and their local authorities (usually the people responsible for culture and integration) 50 associations led by TCN or working in the field of integration TCN participating in the WP3 process: About 500 Additional libraries and associations to which the tool developed in the project will be shared. Indirect beneficiaries: TCN living in the cities where the integration strategies have been developed (currently being assessed) 2. Evaluation Expectations and objectives The study consists in the final evaluation of the project and will help BSF and the implementing partners to: Evaluate the impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and relevance of the action Measure the value of EU-contractual specific objectives indicators. The evaluation will bring a specific focus on: Librarians & Libraries and any possible support or change bring to their programming and practice by the project Local authorities and any possible change and support bring to their mission of integration and strategies by the project TCN and the impact the project had on them (perception of libraries, feeling of integration...) TCN led association & associations working in the integration field and if the project has supported them in their mission and strategy. Planned process At this stage, the methodology envisaged for this evaluation is the following: Analysis of the existing data in the five countries of the project Quantitative survey covering the five countries of the project Semi-directed interviews with all partners and project teams involved in project implementation Case studies in 2-3 countries to collect qualitative data - France, Poland and Romania Language, interpretation and translation tasks should rely on BSF & partners support as little as possible. Local partners will support the evaluation team by providing contacts & insights. Expected deliverables The expected deliverables for this evaluation are the following (in English): A scoping report highlighting the evaluation methodology Data collection and analysis tools Raw and cleaned collected data, with a data cleaning log (showing how, what and why data transformations occurred) Draft evaluation report Final evaluation report PowerPoint presentation of the results On BSF side, the evaluation will be coordinated by the LiBri European project coordinator, supported by BSF MEAL Manager. Regular follow-up points will be organized between the evaluation team and BSF team throughout the evaluation, especially after field missions. Budget The maximum budget for this evaluation is 30 000 euros (all tax included). 3. Selection process External expertise sought A consultant or a team of consultants (one of whom will be the mission leader) is sought for this evaluation. The skills required are as follows: Experience in conducting external evaluation for projects financed by the European Union or other international donors Experience in the three countries where onsite data collection activities will be implemented (France, Poland and Romania) experience in the other two countries targeted by the project is an asset (Italy and Latvia) Demonstrated expertise in working and/or conducting research on migration related issues Previous experience working and/or conducting research on issues related to access to culture and the context of libraries Understanding of result-based Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems and tools Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, using participatory methods Strong analytical skills Ability to respond to the comments and questions on time and in an appropriate manner Ability to produce high quality work, including excellent English writing skills to deliver clear and concise report Fluent in English (French or any other language of the project is an asset). Preference will be given to a tea Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4179666/call-interest-final-evaluation-project-libri